Library invites children to Chinese New Year fete ELLICOTT CITY/ELKRIDGE

NEIGHBORS

January 04, 1993|By JEAN LESLIE

Happy 1993.

Did you realize that in seven more years, we will be changing millenniums to the 21st century? Something to think on. . . .

Although the outside is uninspiring at this time of year, there's lots happening in Elkridge and Ellicott City on the inside. I'll share with you just a few of the events happening here that may warm you up during these cold months.

For example, children who celebrated New Year's Eve on Dec. 31, as most Marylanders do, can also celebrate the Chinese New Year.

To celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rooster, Miller Branch of the Howard County Public Library invites all 6- to 9-year-old children to a Chinese New Year's party on Thursday, Jan. 21.

Children's librarians from the Central Branch will explain the New Year celebration, stage a shadow theater production and a mini-New Year's parade. There is no cost for this event. Registration starts Jan. 11.

Call 313-1955 for registration information.

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The Elkridge VFW Post on Washington Boulevard in Elkridge has regularly scheduled monthly events to enrich the community.

The first Wednesday of each month is shrimp night in the Canteen, with shrimp costing a paltry $3.50 for a half-pound.

Post meetings are the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, and the Ladies Auxiliary meets the second Monday of each month.

In addition, this month the post is holding some special events.

Yesterday, it elected its Buddy Poppy Queen at a 2 p.m. meeting.

(Next week, I'll let you know who the winner was.)

On Jan. 16, the Loyalty Day Queen will be elected at the post level. The winners of each contest, who have competed with other contestants, will later compete at the district level.

On Jan. 24, the post is throwing an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

It looks as if the Elkridge community has an active partner in its VFW Post.

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The community may brighten up winter doldrums with singing, dancing, and fun.

At 8 p.m. on Jan. 14, 15 and 16, Howard High School presents "Showcase '93."

This annual variety show features the Top 40 and popular music performed by 45 students and staff members of Howard High School with the support of professional musicians.

Music from the "Phantom of the Opera" and Howard High's forthcoming spring production of the popular musical, "Grease" will be featured, as well as songs by Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Buffet and others.

Buy your ticket for $3 in advance or for $4 at the door. Tickets are available at the front office of Howard High School. Information: 313-2867.

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Centennial High School principal Dr. Sylvia Pattillo has been honored by the Washington Post as a Distinguished Educational Leadership Award winner.

Dr. Pattillo was one of 17 principals, one selected from each public school system in the Washington, D.C., area. Dr. Pattillo received the award, a school bell made of Waterford crystal, from Post publisher Donald Graham at an awards dinner.

In addition, she will travel to the Virgin Islands this spring to attend a conference with other award recipients.

Each public school system chose its award winner, but candidates had to be nominated by parents, teachers and students to be eligible.

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It's that time of year for snow to fall, disrupting business and closing schools, making parents crazy with wet mittens, soggy boots and grayish snowballs in the freezer.

Kids pray for snow, but adults wish the stuff away. To celebrate January, I'll offer a poem by Rachel Field, who tells us what we can do to alleviate the problem:

"Snow in the City" (Ellicott City?)

Snow is out of fashion, But it still comes down, To whiten all the buildings in our town;

To dull the noise of traffic; To dim each glaring light with star-shaped feathers of Frosty white.

And not the tallest building Halfway up the sky; Or all the trains and buses and taxis scudding by; And not a million people, not one of them at all, Can do a thing about the snow but let it fall!

The award ranks the publication above first place, and demands over 925 out of a possible 1,000 points in the areas of copy writing, design, graphics, photography and school coverage.

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More kudos go to Howard High School's 1992 National Honor Society inductees. At an induction ceremony that took place on Dec. 17, Dana Hannah, chairman of the Board of Education, and Ashwin Dharmakhikari were guest speakers, and student speakers were David Adams, Shana Lourie, Eugenia Low and Elizabeth Allen.